Brits driving abroad

With the credit crunch and environmental concerns with flying, Norwich Union predicts that driving holidays will be more popular than ever this year, with an estimated eight million British motorists expected to take to the continent in their cars for the annual summer getaway.

Now the UK’s largest insurer is urging motorists to check their insurance and do their homework before heading off on their summer holidays. Research from the Norwich Union ‘Driving Abroad Uncovered’ report found that almost half (48%) of British motorists admit to being nervous about driving overseas. The study also reveals that their nerves are often well-founded – over a third (35%) say they have accidentally driven on the wrong side of the road while abroad, 42% say they usually look the wrong way when approaching junctions and 24% admitted to breaking the speed limit in a foreign country.

An analysis of Norwich Union claims data shows that roundabouts and giving way to the right are some of the most common causes of accidents for Brits driving abroad. This is compounded by the fact that Norwich Union’s research found that nearly a million people still don’t check their motor insurance before heading off. The insurer warns that failure to do so could cost them dear, with claims data showing that car accidents abroad vary in costs from an average of £1,445 in France to a whopping £5,180 in Sweden and Denmark.

The research found that British drivers’ main concerns when driving abroad include:

Being involved in an accident (49%)
Being flummoxed by foreign rules and regulations
Their car breaking down (34%)
Misinterpreting unfamiliar road signs (13%)

Despite their concerns, many motorists are worryingly unprepared for driving in unfamiliar conditions and countries. One in five (20%) say they don’t do any research before they leave and assume they will just “pick things up” when they get there, and 5% even admit that they don’t bother to do any research because they assume the road rules and regulations will be the same as in the UK.

“We strongly advise drivers planning a trip abroad to do their homework on road rules and regulations before they leave the country. Assuming you will pick things up when you get behind the wheel is extremely dangerous and could mean that you are breaking the law”, says Erik Nelson, spokesperson for Norwich Union. “It’s importantto understand that fully comprehensive motor insurance in the UK does not automatically mean the same level of cover abroad and so we urge people to contact their insurer to assess their level of cover abroad and decide whether to upgrade their policy prior to their trip.”

To help drivers plan a trip abroad, Norwich Union has developed a short set of guidelines:

Norwich Union’s driving abroad checklist
Contact your insurer to assess whether you are covered to the level you require while driving abroad

Check your home contents policy – your motor policy will have a limit for personal belongings, so make sure your home contents policy provides cover for them outside the home

Don’t forget travel insurance which will cover you for any medical costs you incur

Don’t forget to pack:
Your insurer’s contact details, including the number to call in the event of a claim
A copy of your motor insurance certificate
A copy of the European Accident Statement supplied by your insurer
Your original vehicle registration document
European Health Insurance Card EHIC (formerly the E111)
Carry the correct documentation including current passports and valid full driving licence. Holders of old-style licences may want to update it for a photo card licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Do your research to familiarise yourself with the driving rules and regulations of the country you are visiting